Meabh Cahalane on Cork's loss to Galway: We didn't match their intensity and work-rate

It was a bit of revenge for Galway as they got the better of Cork in their Very Division 1A camogie league clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

Over the hour the visitors were the better side and you couldn’t argue against the final scoreline of 0-19 to 0-13 in their favour.

It was a disappointing result but much more so a disappointing performance by their Rebels, in their final game ahead of the league final in two weeks, where these two sides will meet again.

Cork captain Meabh Cahalane said that Galway played with far more intensity and a higher work-rate, which they'll have to sort ahead of the league final.

“We came here today hoping to put in a performance and obviously hoping to come out with a win,” said Meabh.

“But Galway came down more intense than us and their work rate was through the roof. They had lots of energy there, and they exposed us in the first half and we just didn't match it.

We were second to every ball and second in of energy and with a performance like that you're not really going to come out the right side of it.

“We'll have to go away now and reflect for the next two weeks, but it's not all negatives. There's plenty positives to take out of it as well. A lot of girls got a run-out.

POSITIVE

“We had a couple of new girls starting as well. So you know that's a positive take, and I thought they did well.

“So lots of work to do for the next two week and we’re really looking forward to the final.”

Cork were in the final ahead of the clash with Galway and really had nothing at stake, bar keeping their winning run going.

With that in mind Meabh said that it may have had an influence on their display, but it shouldn’t have had.

“We still would have come down here intending to win, and I suppose that's what we would have worked on all throughout the week at training.

ENERGY

“But I just think the energy levels and the work-rate, we didn't match them in the first half. And I thought we fought a bit harder in the second half. We definitely came here with the intention of putting in a performance and I suppose we just didn't do that over the 60 minutes and so that's definitely something to work on.

We know now that it’s Galway we will be meeting again in two weeks so we know what to expect going up to Thurles for that game.

“We had a few players there who gave a few honest opinions in the dressing room afterwards about our performance, and I suppose, you know, that gets you ready for training during the week.

“That game gave some of the new girls a taste of the intensity of top games. They're going really well in the gym and at training. So that probably just gave them a taste of the physicality you can expect against a top team and a taste of what to expect in the final.”